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Liturgy & Prayer

St. James Parish is known for its uniquely vibrant liturgies.  Whether it be the sprinkling rite during the Easter season, the incense rite to commemorate the faithful departed during the month of November or the special thanksgiving offertory that takes place at significant times throughout the year, parishioners and visitors cite a sense of belonging, the feeling of family and inspiration to live the Gospel message of love daily.  



Sunday Mass begins at 10:00am.  All are welcome at this liturgy and at special services held throughout the year.  Some favorite liturgies include:
Christmas Eve
A Family Mass is offered at 4:00pm and Midnight Mass begins at 10:00pm.  Each Mass is preceded with 30 minutes of caroling, including many traditional songs (sung in the languages of origin) from the homelands of our parishioners.

Ash Wednesday
Liturgy of the Word and Distribution of Ashes takes place at 12:00pm.  The lunch hour serves as a convenient time for many Catholics working in the neighborhood to gather for this intimate service.

Palm Sunday
An ecumenical palm service, in collaboration with other area churches, is held at Gleed Park.  After exchanging palm branches with our Christian brothers and sisters, we process to the church to continue our celebration with Mass.

Fridays during Lent
Stations of the Cross takes place at 12:00pm.  The lunch hour serves as a convenient time for many Catholics working in the neighborhood to gather and reflect on the life and death of Christ.

Triduum
The sense of community at St. James Parish is strengthened during these three holy days:
Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday, we take time to wash each others' feet before celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist (beginning at 7:00pm).  After Mass, we gather and wait together during the tenebrae service.

Good Friday
The Living Stations of the Cross is held in Downtown, Kansas City the afternoon of Good Friday.  Together, with many area Catholics, we walk the streets and pray for peace and justice and the manifestation of the kingdom of God in the here and now.  A reverent communion service and veneration of the cross takes place at the church at 7:00pm.

Holy Saturday
This lengthy liturgy begins at dusk with the service of light.  The Mass is highlighted with scripture readings in multiple languages representing the many homelands of our parishioners.  At this liturgy we celebrate with our brothers and sisters who come into full communion with the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

Easter Season
We celebrate new life in Christ as we gather at the Baptismal font each Sunday during the Easter Season in a unique expression of the sprinkling rite.

All Souls
Each Sunday between All Souls Day and the Feast of Christ the King, we commemorate our deceased loved ones in a special way with an incense rite at the beginning of Mass.

Communal Penance Services
Communal penance services are offered during the Advent and Lenten seasons.

Holy Days of Obligation
Mass begins at 7:00pm on holy days of obligation throughout the liturgical year.
   
Imela (Mass of Thanksgiving)

At significant dates throughout the year, Masses of thanksgiving are offered.  At these liturgies, we participate in a special offertory: the Imela, a Nigerian expression for "Thanks be to God."